Method for controlling a compressor for conveying a pressure medium in a level adjustment system of a motor vehicle

Abstract

In a method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) in a closed level adjustment system, the actual compressor temperature is continuously determined, at least during operation of the compressor, and the compressor ( 2 ) is disconnected when it reaches a threshold temperature. Admission pressure and counter-pressure of the compressor are taken into account in order to determine the actual compressor temperature. Preferably, the actual compressor temperature t is adapted by a value dT after each unit of time has elapsed while the compressor is operating, said value depending upon the difference between counter pressure and admission pressure (p counter −p admission ).

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
   
   
       11 . A method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ), which is suitable for conveying a pressure medium in a closed pressure medium system, the method comprising the steps of 
 continuously determining the current compressor temperature at least during compressor operation,    switching off the compressor ( 2 ) no later than when reaching a limit temperature, wherein the admission pressure and the counterpressure of the compressor ( 2 ) are taken into consideration for determining the current compressor temperature.    
   
   
       12 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 11 , comprising the step of adapting, during compressor operation, the current compressor temperature by a temperature value dT after every elapsed unit of time dt, said temperature value dT being dependent on the difference p counter −p admission  between the counterpressure and the admission pressure.  
   
   
       13 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the functional relationship between the temperature value dT and the difference p counter −p admission  is stored as a characteristic diagram in a control unit for the compressor ( 2 ).  
   
   
       14 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein a fixed temperature value dT is predefined as a function of the difference p counter −p admission  present at the beginning of compressor operation.  
   
   
       15 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, for a difference p counter −p admission  greater than zero, the temperature value dT is predefined as being the value associated with the maximum possible difference p counter −p admission .  
   
   
       16 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein, for a difference p counter −p admission  less than or equal to zero, the temperature value dT is predefined as being the value associated with the difference p counter −p admission =zero.  
   
   
       17 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , for a level adjustment system in a motor vehicle, wherein the traveling speed of the motor vehicle is additionally taken into consideration when predefining a temperature value dT.  
   
   
       18 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the compressor is electrically operated and the electrical compressor voltage is additionally taken into consideration when predefining a temperature value dT.  
   
   
       19 . The method for controlling a compressor ( 2 ) as claimed in  claim 11 , including the step of defining a maximum operating time for the compressor ( 2 ) at the beginning of compressor operation.  
   
   
       20 . A compressor ( 2 ) unit, which can be switched on and off as a function of demand, for a closed pressure medium system, the compressor unit comprising a compressor and a control unit associated with said compressor ( 2 ), said control unit being designed to continuously determine the current compressor temperature, at least during compressor operation, and to switch off the compressor ( 2 ) no later than when a stored limit temperature is reached, wherein the control unit is capable of taking into account admission pressure and counterpressure of the compressor for determining the current compressor temperature.  
   
   
       21 . The compressor unit of  claim 20 , designed for a closed level adjustment system of a motor vehicle,